Wringer device for a mopping unit

ABSTRACT

A wringer device for a mopping apparatus includes: a basket-like receptacle rotatably arranged in a support, the receptacle being caused to rotate by a mechanical drive, the drive including a lever movably mounted in the support and being provided with a spindle nut that causes a spindle to rotate when the lever moves; a first gear arranged on the spindle for conjoint rotation; a second gear associated with a rotary shaft of the receptacle; a freewheel arranged between the rotary shaft and the second gear, the freewheel allowing torque to be transmitted to the rotary shaft in only one direction of rotation; and a toothed belt arranged between the first gear and the second gear.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/074564, filed on Oct. 13, 2016, and claims benefit to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2015 016 414.7, filed on Dec. 18, 2015. The International Application was published in German on Jun. 22, 2017 as WO 2017/102133 under PCT Article 21(2).

FIELD

The invention relates to a wringer device for a mopping apparatus, comprising a basket-like receptacle that is rotatably arranged in a support, it being possible for the receptacle to be caused to rotate by means of a mechanical drive, the drive comprising a lever that is movably mounted in the support, the receptacle being caused to rotate by a gear train when the lever is actuated.

BACKGROUND

A wringer device of this kind is known from DE 20 2008 014 219 U1. The wringer device described therein is in particular suitable for extracting fluids from mops. In principle, fluids can also be extracted from mops using a rigid wringer device, by pushing the mop into the wringer device to wring out said mop. However, it has been found that spin-drying the mop head or mop in a rotating wringer device is significantly more effective that wringing out the mop head using compression. In the wringer device known from the prior art, a basket-like receptacle is caused to rotate by a foot-operated lever. The lever is arranged in the base region of the mop bucket and drives the receptacle using a gear train comprising a freewheel. The freewheel ensures that the receptacle rotates in only one direction. Higher rotational speeds can thus be achieved.

However, a disadvantage is that relatively large gears must be used because of the necessary gear ratio, which gears cannot be covered because of the association thereof with the lever. As a result, there is some risk of injury to the user. The gears are subjected to relatively heavy wear because of the large forces acting thereon.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a wringer device for a mopping apparatus, comprising: a basket-like receptacle rotatably arranged in a support, the receptacle being configured to be rotated by a mechanical drive, the drive comprising a lever movably mounted in the support and being provided with a spindle nut configured to cause a spindle to rotate when the lever moves; a first gear arranged on the spindle and configured for conjoint rotation; a second gear associated with a rotary shaft of the receptacle; a freewheel arranged between the rotary shaft and the second gear, the freewheel being configured to allow torque to be transmitted to the rotary shaft in only one direction of rotation; and a toothed belt arranged between the first gear and the second gear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described in even greater detail below based on the exemplary figures. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. Other features and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention will become apparent by reading the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings which illustrate the following:

FIG. 1 shows a wringer device comprising a lever which moves in a parallel motion;

FIG. 2 shows a wringer device comprising a tiltable lever;

FIG. 3 shows the initial position and end position of the lever;

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a wringer device comprising a tiltable lever;

FIG. 5 shows the initial position and end position of the lever.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a wringer device for a mopping apparatus, comprising a basket-like receptacle which is rotatably arranged in a support, it being possible for the receptacle to be caused to rotate by means of the mechanical drive, the drive comprising a lever that is movably mounted in the support and is provided with a spindle nut which causes a spindle to rotate when the lever moves, a first gear being arranged on the spindle for conjoint rotation, a second gear being associated with the rotary shaft of the receptacle, a freewheel, which allows torque to be transmitted to the rotary shaft in only one direction of rotation, being arranged between the rotary shaft and the second gear, and a toothed belt being arranged between the first gear and the second gear.

The transformation of the translational movement, induced by the lever, into a rotational movement results from the combination of the spindle nut attached to the lever and a spindle which is rotatably mounted in the support. When the lever is actuated by the foot of the user, i.e. moved from an initial position to an end position, the spindle nut, which is mounted on the lever for conjoint rotation, moves along the rotary shaft of the spindle. The spindle is thereby caused to rotate. A gear, which is arranged on the spindle for conjoint rotation and so as to be stationary, and which rotates with the spindle, transmits the rotation to a second gear by means of a toothed belt. The second gear is in turn secured to the rotary shaft of the receptacle.

A freewheel is provided between the second gear and the rotary shaft, which freewheel allows torque to be transmitted to the rotary shaft in only one direction of rotation. A torque is thus transmitted to the rotary shaft only when the lever is moved from the initial position to the end position. If, however, the lever is moved back to the initial position from the end position, i.e. when the direction of rotation of the spindle is reversed, no torque is transmitted. Very high rotational speeds of the receptacle can thus be achieved, allowing the mop head located in the receptacle to be effectively spin-dried.

The receptacle comprises slit-like cut-outs or other openings, through which the spun-out cleaning fluid is conveyed into the mop bucket.

The combination of the spindle drive and the toothed belt drive allows the receptacle to be driven in very limited installation space. Furthermore, the toothed belt drive, together with the two gears and the toothed belt, can be encased such that intervention by the user or other external influences can be prevented.

Only the spindle together with the spindle nut is exposed in part, because of the association thereof with the lever. However, a spindle drive has only a low risk of injury. A spindle drive and a toothed belt drive are both very robust components and make it possible to produce a robust wringer device which has a long service life.

A spring element can be associated with the lever, which spring element automatically moves the lever into an initial position when said lever is in an unloaded state.

When the receptacle is to be caused to rotate, the lever is moved from the initial position to an end position. The spindle nut is thus moves in the axial direction of the spindle and causes the spindle, which is rotatably mounted in the support, to rotate. The rotation is transmitted to the receptacle by the toothed belt. In order for the lever to automatically reach the initial position from the end position, a spring element is provided which moves the lever back when said lever is unloaded. The movement from the initial position to the end position can thus be repeated in rapid succession, such that a high rotational speed can be achieved.

In a first embodiment, the lever is mounted so as to move in a parallel motion. In this embodiment, the lever is preferably aligned approximately in parallel with the base of the wringer device, said alignment being retained even when the lever moves from the initial position to the end position. This embodiment has the advantage that no transverse forces are introduced into the receptacle because no tilting motion of the lever occurs.

In order to achieve the parallel motion, the lever can comprise cut-outs through which guiding elements fixed to the receptacle project. The guiding elements are rigidly fastened in the support. During actuation of the lever, said lever slides along the guiding elements from the initial position to the end position. In this embodiment, the spring element, which automatically moves the lever back to the initial position when said lever is in an unloaded state, can be arranged either on the spindle or on the guiding elements. In this case, the spring element may be a simple spiral spring.

In a further embodiment, a free end of the lever can be rotatably and tiltably fixed to the receptacle, according to a first variant, the lever being rotatably fixed to the receptacle at the free end of said lever which is closer to the rotary shaft, and, according to a second variant, being fixed at the free end further from the rotary shaft.

In the first variant, the lever tilts upwards at the free end thereof which is closer to the user. This forms the initial position. In order to actuate the lever, the user must lift their foot and place it on the lever. The advantage in this case is that the user can introduce large forces into the lever. The disadvantage is that, because the foot must be lifted, usage may be unsafe.

In the second variant, the end of the lever closer to the user forms the fulcrum, which is arranged on the base of the support. The user can therefore place their foot on the lever comfortably and safely. The disadvantage in this case is that not as large forces can be introduced into the lever.

The length of the lever may be adjustable. In this case, it is conceivable that a lever extension could be pulled out from the lever in the translational direction. Alternatively, it is conceivable that an extension could be folded out from the lever. The lever extension increases the lever arm, and thus the force introduced into the wringer device.

The pitch of the spindle can be variable. In this case, it is in particular conceivable for the pitch of the spindle to be designed so as to be greater in at least one edge region than in the central region. In the region having a greater pitch, the ratio of the distance travelled by the spindle nut to the number of spindle rotations increases. In turn, the force required for causing the receptacle to rotate decreases because of the increased distance. This is advantageous in particular at the dead centers of the spindle and at the very beginning of the actuation of the lever. In this case, it is possible for a large force to be introduced, while operation is comfortable at the same time, in particular in combination with the variant in which the lever is fixed at the end thereof which is further from the rotary shaft.

The spindle nut is preferably pivotally mounted in the lever. Furthermore, the spindle nut can be mounted in the lever so as to be able to move relative to the longitudinal axis of the lever. The spindle nut can thus drive the spindle without the occurrence of limiting transverse forces or shear forces.

The drawings show a wringer device 1 for a mopping apparatus, comprising a basket-like receptacle 2 which is rotatably arranged in a support 3. The support 3 comprises a base 18 to which the components of the wringer device 1 are fastened. The base 18 can in turn be fastened in a mop bucket, by screws for example. A mop bucket equipped for integrating the wringer device 1 comprises an external indentation in the base region, which indentation receives the wringer device 1, together with the base 18, in part. The indentation comprises an opening through which the rotary shaft 9 of the receptacle 2 projects. The receptacle 2 is in turn arranged inside the mop bucket. Only the rotary shaft 9 penetrates the wall of the mop bucket. With regard to the extension thereof, the base 18 is designed such that said extension projects far enough from the mop bucket that tilting moments introduced by the lever 5 are absorbed.

The receptacle 2 comprises slit-like openings through which the cleaning fluid spun out from the mop head or mop is conveyed into the mop bucket.

The receptacle 2 can be caused to rotate by means of a mechanical drive 4. For this purpose, the drive 4 comprises a lever 5 which is movably mounted in the support 3 and provided with a spindle nut 6. The spindle nut 6 causes a spindle 7 to rotate when the lever 5 moves, a first gear 8 being arranged on the spindle 7 for conjoint rotation. A second gear 10 is in turn associated with the rotary shaft 9 of the receptacle 2, and a freewheel 11 is arranged between the rotary shaft 9 and the second gear 10, which freewheel allows torque to be transmitted from the second gear 10 to the rotary shaft 9 in only one direction of rotation. A toothed belt 12 is arranged between the first gear 8 and the second gear 10.

The spindle 7 is rotatably mounted in the support 3. The spindle 7 is preferably mounted by plastics bearings 23. The freewheel 11, arranged between the second gear 10 and the rotary shaft 9, is preferably designed as a roller-type freewheel. In this case, the second gear 10 and the freewheel 11 form a preassembled unit.

In this case, the wringer device 1 can be designed such that the first gear 8, the second gear 10, together with the freewheel 11, and the toothed belt 12 are encased. A covering, for example, which covers the rotating components of wringer device 1, can be provided for this purpose. Manual intervention in said components is thus prevented.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the wringer device 1. In this embodiment, the lever 5 is mounted so as to move in a parallel motion 15. For this purpose, the lever 5 comprises cut-outs 19, through which guiding elements 16, which are fixed to the receptacle 2, project. In the present embodiment, two circular cut-outs 19 are provided in the lever 5. The guiding elements 16 are columnar and fixed to the base 18. When the lever 5 is actuated from the initial position 14 into the end position 17, the lever 5 slides along the guiding elements 16 in a parallel manner, the alignment with the base 18 remaining substantially unchanged.

A spring element 13 is associated with the lever 5, which spring element automatically moves the lever 5 into the initial position 14 when said lever is in an unloaded state. In this embodiment, the spring element 13 is designed as a spiral spring and is fitted to the spindle 7.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the wringer device 1. In this embodiment, the a free end of the lever 5 is rotatably and tiltably fixed to the receptacle 2. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the lever 5 is rotatably fixed to the receptacle 2 at the free end of said lever closer to the rotary shaft 9. The free end of the lever 5 closer to the user is thus at a distance from the base 18 in the initial position 14. The lever 5 is fastened to the support 3 by a joint 20. For this purpose, a projection which receives the joint 20 is carved from the base 18. The spring element 13 is associated with the joint 20. The lever 5 is rotatable along the lever path 24.

The spindle nut 6 is mounted in the lever 5 so as to be pivotable and movable along the longitudinal axis of the lever 5. For this purpose, an opening 21 which receives the spindle nut 6 is made in the lever 5. Two slots 22 laterally adjoin the opening 21, which slots allow the spindle nut 6 to be pivotably mounted, and allow the spindle nut 6 to move longitudinally within specific limits.

FIG. 3 shows in detail the lever 5 and the movement thereof together with the spindle nut 6, relative to the spindle 7. The position further from the base 18 is the initial position 14, and the position closer to the base 18 is the end position 17. The lever 5 is moved from the initial position 14 to the end position 17 by the foot of the user, and automatically moves back to the initial position 14 from the end position 17 by means of the spring tension of the spring element 13. The receptacle 2 is caused to rotate by rhythmic actuation of the lever 5, it being possible to achieve high rotational speeds.

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the wringer device 1. In this embodiment, which substantially corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the lever 5 is rotatably fixed to the receptacle at the free end of said lever which is further from the rotary shaft 9. The joint 20, comprising the integrated spring element 13, is therefore close to the user, so that, in order to actuate the lever 5, the foot can remain on the lever 5 throughout the entire actuation process. The spindle nut 6 is mounted in a manner corresponding to that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows the initial position 14 and the end position 17 of the lever 5 according to the embodiment of the wringer device 1 shown in FIG. 4.

In this embodiment, the pitch of the spindle 7 is variable, the pitch of the spindle 7 being designed so as to be greater in the region of the initial position 14 of the lever 5 which corresponds to an edge region of the spindle 7 than in the central region.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made by those of ordinary skill within the scope of the following claims. In particular, the present invention covers further embodiments with any combination of features from different embodiments described above and below. Additionally, statements made herein characterizing the invention refer to an embodiment of the invention and not necessarily all embodiments.

The terms used in the claims should be construed to have the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the foregoing description. For example, the use of the article “a” or “the” in introducing an element should not be interpreted as being exclusive of a plurality of elements. Likewise, the recitation of “or” should be interpreted as being inclusive, such that the recitation of “A or B” is not exclusive of “A and B,” unless it is clear from the context or the foregoing description that only one of A and B is intended. Further, the recitation of “at least one of A, B and C” should be interpreted as one or more of a group of elements consisting of A, B and C, and should not be interpreted as requiring at least one of each of the listed elements A, B and C, regardless of whether A, B and C are related as categories or otherwise. Moreover, the recitation of “A, B and/or C” or “at least one of A, B or C” should be interpreted as including any singular entity from the listed elements, e.g., A, any subset from the listed elements, e.g., A and B, or the entire list of elements A, B and C. 

1. A wringer device for a mopping apparatus, comprising: a basket-like receptacle rotatably arranged in a support, the receptacle being configured to be rotated by a mechanical drive, the drive comprising a lever movably mounted in the support and being provided with a spindle nut configured to cause a spindle to rotate when the lever moves; a first gear arranged on the spindle and configured for conjoint rotation; a second gear associated with a rotary shaft of the receptacle; a freewheel arranged between the rotary shaft and the second gear, the freewheel being configured to allow torque to be transmitted to the rotary shaft in only one direction of rotation; and a toothed belt arranged between the first gear and the second gear.
 2. The wringer device according to claim 1, wherein a spring element is associated with the lever, the spring element being configured to automatically move the lever into an initial position when the lever is in an unloaded state.
 3. The wringer device according to claim 1, wherein the lever is mounted so as to move in a parallel motion.
 4. The wringer device according to claim 3, wherein the lever comprises cut-outs through which guiding elements, which are fixed to the support, project.
 5. The wringer device according to claim 1, wherein a free end of the lever is rotatably and tiltably fixed to the support.
 6. The wringer device according to claim 5, wherein the lever is rotatably fixed to the support at the free end of the lever which is closer to the rotary shaft.
 7. The wringer device according to claim 5, wherein the lever is rotatably fixed to the support at the free end of the lever which is farther from the rotary shaft.
 8. The wringer device according to claim 1, wherein a length of the lever is adjustable.
 9. The wringer device according to claim 1, wherein a pitch of the spindle is variable.
 10. The wringer device according to claim 9, wherein the pitch of the spindle is greater in at least one edge region than in a central region.
 11. The wringer device according to claim 1, wherein the spindle nut is pivotally mounted in the lever. 